Thursday, November 09, 2006

Yahoo LAUNCHCAST song of the day


Artist:LaVern Baker

Song:Jim Dandy

Album:Soul On Fire:The Best Of LaVern Baker





LaVern Baker was a very popular R & B belter of the 50s who also brought a lot of sex appeal to the table. She was born Dolores Williams in Chicago Nov. 11, 1929 and changed her name to LaVern Baker while working for Todd Rhodes in 1952. She signed with Atlantic in 1953 and several hits including Tweedlee Dee. 1957's Jim Dandy was her biggest hit. It reached #1 on the R & B chart and #17 on the singles chart. LaVern was a little lady with a big voice and was equally adept at rockers like Jim Dandy and ballads. This comp is definitive. All her hits are on it. LaVern's career stalled after she left Atlantic in 1964 and eventually she moved to the Philippines and retired from the music business. She returned to the US and the music business in 1988 for Atlantic's 40th Anniversary Party at Madison Square Garden in New York. She also appeared in the film Dick Tracy. LaVern Baker died on Mar. 10, 1997 at age 67.

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